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Safeguarding Policy

Statement of Safeguarding

Half Moon Young People’s Theatre (also known as Half Moon and Half Moon Theatre)

Statement of Safeguarding

It is the general policy of Half Moon that every reasonable precaution will be taken to ensure the safeguarding of all children, young people and adults up to the age of 25 with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) within our care, as participants within any of our programmes of work, or whilst visiting Half Moon’s premises. This extends to our work within other venues and settings, including participatory work which takes place online, carried out by core and freelance Half Moon staff. As providers of activity specifically targeted at and for children and young people, Half Moon recognises the importance of, and takes responsibility for, the promotion of safeguarding and welfare issues within all areas of the company’s work.

Half Moon defines safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect as:

  • protection from maltreatment;
  • prevention of any impairment of health or development;
  • ensuring that they live in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care;
  • action to enable everyone to have the best outcomes.

This policy refers to the safeguarding of all children, young people and adults up to the age of 25 with SEND within the care of Half Moon. This includes children and young people between the ages of 0 and 18 and extends to include adults at risk of abuse or neglect, up to the age of 25, who may be in need of community care services and/or may be unable to take care of themselves, or unable to protect themselves from significant harm or exploitation due to their needs.

  • Half Moon believes that the promotion of safeguarding within all areas of the company’s work is integral to the core of our company ethos.
  • Half Moon clearly communicates to all staff that it is the responsibility of every adult who is working for the company to prevent the physical, sexual or emotional abuse (including online grooming), neglect, or radicalisation of children, young people and vulnerable adults up to the age of 25 with SEND and to report any suspected or actual abuse or radicalisation that comes to their attention.
  • Half Moon regards any breach of its Safeguarding Policy as misconduct and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against any employee who is deemed to have breached this policy.
  • This policy is informed by the following documents:
    • ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ guidance, DfE (2018) [updated 2023];
    • ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidance, DfE (2023);
    • What to do if You’re Worried a Child is Being Abused, DfE (2015);
    • ‘Work-Related Learning and the Law’ guidance, DfES (2006);
    • ‘Threshold Document: Continuum of Help and Support’, London Safeguarding Children Partnership (2023);
    • Children Acts 1989 and 2004;
    • Children and Families Act 2014;
    • Children and Social Work Act 2017;
    • Sexual Offences Act 2003 [updated 2023];
    • Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 amended by the Serious Crime Act 2015;
    • Data Protection Act 2018 and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR);
    • Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 [incorporating Surveillance Camera Code of Practice 2022];
    • Human Rights Act 1998;
    • United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child;
    • Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000;
    • Protection of Children Act 1999 [amended 2010];
    • Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 [amended 2023];
    • Disqualification under the Childcare Act 2006 [updated 2013];
    • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006;
    • Guidance provided by Tower Hamlets Safeguarding Children Partnership;
    • Care Act 2014 (in relation to safeguarding adults up to the age of 25 with SEND).

This policy is informed as appropriate by training undertaken by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), the Director of the company and the Named Safeguarding Trustee.

It is the responsibility of all Half Moon staff to remain vigilant and alert with regards to safeguarding issues. It is the responsibility of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), in conjunction with the Director of the company, to assess, update and implement any changes in the policy and communicate these changes to all employees of Half Moon. Such changes will need to be ratified by the Council of Management. The Council of Management includes members with specific safeguarding expertise who are able to offer advice and support regarding safeguarding. One will take on the role of the Named Safeguarding Trustee.

The Safeguarding Statement and Safeguarding Policy and Procedures are living documents and are subject to revision where necessary at any time outside of the agreed review timeframe. A formal review and update will take place on an annual basis.

Statement last updated July 2024 (next review July 2025)

Read Half Moon’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedures